\Funeral services for Joan Henson Owenby, 79, of Mt. Airy, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 18, at Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, Demorest, with the Rev. Jay Hughes officiating. Burial will follow in Yonah Memorial Gardens.

Mrs. Owenby died Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at a local private care facility following an extended illness.

Born Oct. 20, 1933, in Franklin County, she was the daughter of the late Ponce de Leon and Fannie Arthur Henson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Davidson Owenby Sr.; grandson, Dustin Alexander Smith; sister, Sarah Henson Mangum; and brothers, Thomas Leon Henson Sr., Billy Charles Henson and Ronald Allen Henson.

Mrs. Owenby was employed with the Bank of Toccoa as a bookkeeper for a number of years, but her main duties were loving and caring for her family. She was a member of Cornelia United Methodist Church.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Robert Davidson and Alice Asuit Owenby of Toccoa; sisters, Sandra Henson Gaither and Jean Henson Pless, both of Gainesville; brother, James Arthur Henson Sr. of Gainesville; grandchildren and their spouses, Mattie Leah Owenby and Katie, and Chandra Joan Owenby Hopkins and Boone; grandchildren, Zoie Delana Owenby, Issac Thacker and Stephanie Unck; and great-granddaughter, Izzabella Moonshyne McElreath.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. today, May 17, at the funeral home.

Those wishing to express online condolences to the Owenby family may do so by visiting whitfieldfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, Demorest.